A35 Saloon or CLA 35
Discussion
3 year lease on my C63 coupé is up in March, and I'm considering replacements.
Loved C63 ownership, but it gets used so little, only covered 8k miles in 3 yerars. My life has also undergone a few changes with Covid including a move to a new city, and I'm looking to downsize and perhaps lower costs. Haven't completely made up my mind on getting rid of the C63, but if I do then one of these two choices is a likely candidate.
Choice at the moment is a four-door four-pot, (and I don't much like hatchbacks) so A class saloon or CLA. I don't need/want the barnstorming performance of the CLA 45s, a 35 is enough for me, so this brings the A class saloon into the picture.
Identical cars really from a performance/dynamics point of view, so the only question is in the styling. There are bits I like on both, and bits I'm not sure about on both. I don't like black alloys so going for Premium rather than Premium Plus ...
CLA 35
A 35 Saloon
Any views from anybody? Anyone experienced both or had a good poke around?
Loved C63 ownership, but it gets used so little, only covered 8k miles in 3 yerars. My life has also undergone a few changes with Covid including a move to a new city, and I'm looking to downsize and perhaps lower costs. Haven't completely made up my mind on getting rid of the C63, but if I do then one of these two choices is a likely candidate.
Choice at the moment is a four-door four-pot, (and I don't much like hatchbacks) so A class saloon or CLA. I don't need/want the barnstorming performance of the CLA 45s, a 35 is enough for me, so this brings the A class saloon into the picture.
Identical cars really from a performance/dynamics point of view, so the only question is in the styling. There are bits I like on both, and bits I'm not sure about on both. I don't like black alloys so going for Premium rather than Premium Plus ...
CLA 35
A 35 Saloon
Any views from anybody? Anyone experienced both or had a good poke around?
Edited by Tim bo on Monday 4th January 11:52
Which one gets the latest MBUX infotainment and dashboard setup? I would go for the one that has the latest stuff - its soooo much better than the older one and brings full Apple Carplay / Android Auto integration and a better setup / personalization. They are very similar cars effectively, so I would go for the one that has the better integration.
C63 and A35 (any derivative) are very different cars; no experience of the A35 but having tried a similar change, but different marque, years ago, I very soon missed the bigger engine/car and went back to what I had originally. Unless you've already decided, would you be able to have an extended test, ie a few days?
Many thanks for the inputs chaps, appreciated/ 
Not used it yet myself but by all accounts it's an excellent and intuitive system, one of the best in business ...
Sooo yes good advice - I need a good test drive of these two 35s to get a sense of them being right for me and how much they will fill the hole left by the passing of a C63.
And if the hole remains too large then I don't replace it, and downsizing be damned.
off_again said:
Which one gets the latest MBUX infotainment and dashboard setup? I would go for the one that has the latest stuff - its soooo much better than the older one and brings full Apple Carplay / Android Auto integration and a better setup / personalization. They are very similar cars effectively, so I would go for the one that has the better integration.
Both have latest MBUX.Not used it yet myself but by all accounts it's an excellent and intuitive system, one of the best in business ...
TarquinMX5 said:
C63 and A35 (any derivative) are very different cars; no experience of the A35 but having tried a similar change, but different marque, years ago, I very soon missed the bigger engine/car and went back to what I had originally. Unless you've already decided, would you be able to have an extended test, ie a few days?
This is good advice. I've spent a good number of months thus far toying with many, many different cars to replace the C63 coupé with, from M4 to M2 to RS3 Saloon to AR Giulia Quadrifoglio to E53 coupé to A35 to CLA 35 to to CLA 45S to non-M/AMG variants of the above, and have struggled as none quite tick the boxes. I suppose the concept of downsizing is always going to be difficult for a petrolhead. Sooo yes good advice - I need a good test drive of these two 35s to get a sense of them being right for me and how much they will fill the hole left by the passing of a C63.
And if the hole remains too large then I don't replace it, and downsizing be damned.
I’ve spent a lot of time with both models, here are my thoughts:
Both have a boot almost the same capacity as the C-Class.
Thanks to the more subtle styling changes they are a great sleeper when debadged.
The A-Class saloon is the best handling A-Class. To my senses there’s a slight difference in the steering compared to the hatch.
The CLA is the best handling compact car. It’s two inches wider than the A so the wider track gives more stability through the corners. The cabin is a touch wider too.
The box is quick to respond and can drop 4 ratios in the blink of an eye when you need to get a wiggle on regardless of the drive mode.
Naturally they behave a tad differently than a C 63 through the bends - the performance is usable in all weather and halfway round a corner rather than as the road straightens out again. The 4MATIC is rather good at shuffling the performance to whichever corner it’s needed. They don’t feel like front wheel drive cars with occasional torque sent to the rear and you’ll need to try quite hard to get them to understeer.
MBUX software updates are included for three years with Mercedes me - there’s always a few updates each year. Models built towards the tail end of 2020 have a slightly more diplomatic response to being asked what they think of BMW/Audi but will still tell you a joke when you ask the voice assistant.
If you can forgive the black wheels I would highly recommend going for the Premium Plus purely for the adaptive dampers. They make a big difference.
Personally I’d take the CLA for the shape, wider track and frameless windows but whichever 35 model you pick you’ll love the usable performance.
Both have a boot almost the same capacity as the C-Class.
Thanks to the more subtle styling changes they are a great sleeper when debadged.
The A-Class saloon is the best handling A-Class. To my senses there’s a slight difference in the steering compared to the hatch.
The CLA is the best handling compact car. It’s two inches wider than the A so the wider track gives more stability through the corners. The cabin is a touch wider too.
The box is quick to respond and can drop 4 ratios in the blink of an eye when you need to get a wiggle on regardless of the drive mode.
Naturally they behave a tad differently than a C 63 through the bends - the performance is usable in all weather and halfway round a corner rather than as the road straightens out again. The 4MATIC is rather good at shuffling the performance to whichever corner it’s needed. They don’t feel like front wheel drive cars with occasional torque sent to the rear and you’ll need to try quite hard to get them to understeer.
MBUX software updates are included for three years with Mercedes me - there’s always a few updates each year. Models built towards the tail end of 2020 have a slightly more diplomatic response to being asked what they think of BMW/Audi but will still tell you a joke when you ask the voice assistant.
If you can forgive the black wheels I would highly recommend going for the Premium Plus purely for the adaptive dampers. They make a big difference.
Personally I’d take the CLA for the shape, wider track and frameless windows but whichever 35 model you pick you’ll love the usable performance.
H4Bt 898 said:
I’ve spent a lot of time with both models, here are my thoughts:
Both have a boot almost the same capacity as the C-Class.
Thanks to the more subtle styling changes they are a great sleeper when debadged.
The A-Class saloon is the best handling A-Class. To my senses there’s a slight difference in the steering compared to the hatch.
The CLA is the best handling compact car. It’s two inches wider than the A so the wider track gives more stability through the corners. The cabin is a touch wider too.
The box is quick to respond and can drop 4 ratios in the blink of an eye when you need to get a wiggle on regardless of the drive mode.
Naturally they behave a tad differently than a C 63 through the bends - the performance is usable in all weather and halfway round a corner rather than as the road straightens out again. The 4MATIC is rather good at shuffling the performance to whichever corner it’s needed. They don’t feel like front wheel drive cars with occasional torque sent to the rear and you’ll need to try quite hard to get them to understeer.
MBUX software updates are included for three years with Mercedes me - there’s always a few updates each year. Models built towards the tail end of 2020 have a slightly more diplomatic response to being asked what they think of BMW/Audi but will still tell you a joke when you ask the voice assistant.
If you can forgive the black wheels I would highly recommend going for the Premium Plus purely for the adaptive dampers. They make a big difference.
Personally I’d take the CLA for the shape, wider track and frameless windows but whichever 35 model you pick you’ll love the usable performance.
Excellent info - just what I was looking for. Thanks.Both have a boot almost the same capacity as the C-Class.
Thanks to the more subtle styling changes they are a great sleeper when debadged.
The A-Class saloon is the best handling A-Class. To my senses there’s a slight difference in the steering compared to the hatch.
The CLA is the best handling compact car. It’s two inches wider than the A so the wider track gives more stability through the corners. The cabin is a touch wider too.
The box is quick to respond and can drop 4 ratios in the blink of an eye when you need to get a wiggle on regardless of the drive mode.
Naturally they behave a tad differently than a C 63 through the bends - the performance is usable in all weather and halfway round a corner rather than as the road straightens out again. The 4MATIC is rather good at shuffling the performance to whichever corner it’s needed. They don’t feel like front wheel drive cars with occasional torque sent to the rear and you’ll need to try quite hard to get them to understeer.
MBUX software updates are included for three years with Mercedes me - there’s always a few updates each year. Models built towards the tail end of 2020 have a slightly more diplomatic response to being asked what they think of BMW/Audi but will still tell you a joke when you ask the voice assistant.
If you can forgive the black wheels I would highly recommend going for the Premium Plus purely for the adaptive dampers. They make a big difference.
Personally I’d take the CLA for the shape, wider track and frameless windows but whichever 35 model you pick you’ll love the usable performance.
I remember back to early 2019 when the A Class saloon was announced and I thought it looked good and something I would consider because I had grown tired of hatchbacks. Then as little as a week or two later Mercedes announced the new CLA, which when comparing the exterior looks I instantly preferred.
The exterior of the CLA is much more stylish(4 door coupe) compared with the A Class saloon. Interior wise both are pretty much identical but the CLA has different seats which look great in the no cost optional red/black leather.
I originally wanted the CLA 35 in Premium trim(minimum spec to get matching 10.25" instrument display) but price rises even before release pushed it into the rip off additional VED bracket, so I compromised and bought a CLA 250 in Premium Plus trim and am very happy with it. It is a super stylish car and I always look back at it when parked and walking away. The rear 3/4 view is the one I think looks best on the CLA.
I have just had mine detailed and ceramic coated.
The exterior of the CLA is much more stylish(4 door coupe) compared with the A Class saloon. Interior wise both are pretty much identical but the CLA has different seats which look great in the no cost optional red/black leather.
I originally wanted the CLA 35 in Premium trim(minimum spec to get matching 10.25" instrument display) but price rises even before release pushed it into the rip off additional VED bracket, so I compromised and bought a CLA 250 in Premium Plus trim and am very happy with it. It is a super stylish car and I always look back at it when parked and walking away. The rear 3/4 view is the one I think looks best on the CLA.
I have just had mine detailed and ceramic coated.
Can't comment on the A35 saloon but have been driving an A35 Executive hatchback since June 2019. Having lived with an A35 happy to comment. They are quick, reasonably economic (32.5 mpg over 14k miles) and well specced. However build quality is very poor with lots of rattles. Front tyre wear is also bad. Lane assist down right dangerous.
Luke. said:
CLA.
Even better, the CLA estate thing.
Yep; I’ve got a hoofing great big E class estate with all the knobs and whistles, pano roof etc. It’s way too big for what we need (no kids or dogs etc) but it was a ludicrously cheap lease deal, but as I said bugger me, it’s big. Even better, the CLA estate thing.
What i really want next time is a CLA shooting brake - stick a towbar on and I’m good to go. Don’t care which engine as long as it has all the toys.
I want a yellow one but Mrs DS is having a bit of a fit - says it’s a mid-life crisis colour.
Ron240 said:
un Yellow is very nice and surprisingly it is a free colour.
It is however an AMG exclusive colour so only available on the 35 and 45 cars.
Ah I never knew that; I always go for "in stock" cars on a "what've you got that's really nice for 30 pence a month". This approach has stood me in very good stead for the past decade, especially on the E classes. I'll just see what turns up.It is however an AMG exclusive colour so only available on the 35 and 45 cars.
Ron240 said:
Brian_the_Snail said:
Lane assist down right dangerous.
Yes it has really given me a fright a few times.I hate how it cannot be permanently disabled and is always on by default.
So you need to disable it manually each time you drive?
Tim bo said:
I've not had to wrangle with Lane Assist before, it isn't present on my C63.
So you need to disable it manually each time you drive?
Yes it can only be turned off per ignition cycle so will be on again by default on the next one. It cannot be disabled by one button press either like start/stop.So you need to disable it manually each time you drive?
I leave it on and most of the time it is fine....but now and again it will activate when leaving the main carriageway onto a slip road and the brakes will be applied to one side of the car. The process is quite violent and really gets your attention!
It has also activated with me a few times when the car thought I was getting too close to the central reservation when overtaking. I wasn't and it is a road that I drive 5 days a week.
Ron240 said:
es it can only be turned off per ignition cycle so will be on again by default on the next one. It cannot be disabled by one button press either like start/stop.
I leave it on and most of the time it is fine....but now and again it will activate when leaving the main carriageway onto a slip road and the brakes will be applied to one side of the car. The process is quite violent and really gets your attention!
It has also activated with me a few times when the car thought I was getting too close to the central reservation when overtaking. I wasn't and it is a road that I drive 5 days a week.
Lane assist has left us a few times signalling to pull off of a motorway, turn off the indicator a split second early and have the system (a) steer you back on the motorway and (b) over ride brake for you. If you have an HGV behind you in lane 1 you are thrown back in front of them with your brakes on. Not good! I leave it on and most of the time it is fine....but now and again it will activate when leaving the main carriageway onto a slip road and the brakes will be applied to one side of the car. The process is quite violent and really gets your attention!
It has also activated with me a few times when the car thought I was getting too close to the central reservation when overtaking. I wasn't and it is a road that I drive 5 days a week.
Edited by Brian_the_Snail on Friday 8th January 15:08
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